Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000 09:58:15 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: $$$Brake Job$$
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Getting brake work done here in the states is expensive (i.e.,
overpriced) because we are such a litiguous society. Many shops will
replace everything they touch in an attempt to avoid any liability for a
catastrophic failure of some related part they didn't replace.
Hence, new bearings are used when there was probably nothing wrong with
the old ones, same with new rotors too. This minimizes exposure to
liability and pads the profits nicely. Most folks will do what someone
tells them when their safety is involved, and the unscrupulous shops
know this and feed on it. It is particularly bad with "undercar" shops,
since people can't really check out what the shop is telling them and
don't want to bother with a second opinion.
David Marshall wrote:
>
> Ouch!
>
> I sell cross drilled Vanagon rotors (better cooling) and semi-metallic break
> pads for $189 for the set! Midas has the golden touch... they think all the
> stuff they have is made of gold with the sounds of things... at least you'll
> never have to buy brakes again... at least that is what the commercials say!
>
> I very sorry to hear about stuff like this... here's a question though...
> did they actually replace all the stuff they said?
>
> David Marshall
>
> Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning
> 4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
> Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3
> mailto:info@fastforward.ca http://www.fastforward.ca
> Phone: (250) 992 7775 FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
> . Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
> . Transporter, Unimog and Iltis Sales
> . European Lighting for most Audi and Volkswagen models
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Robie Pierce
> Sent: December 17, 2000 7:25 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: $$$Brake Job$$
>
> My 91 vanagon failed state inspection due to front brake pads. Midas
> gave me aa price $480 for pads and turn the rotors. Went to my Vanagon
> shop. Original quote 240 new pads & turn the rotors. Then the call " you
> need calipers, new rotors, pads, new bearings" price $1000 ! Gulp,...
> well I got the Van back and my credit card is smokin at $1033. Rotors
> $118 ea., Calipers, $129 ea., bearings & seals $100. Labor $319. I know
> calipers, same VW part # from Bus Depot are $79 ea. 60% mark up !!
> Some out there will say do it yourself, and wish I could, but disabled
> in a WC. I have no real recourse, but put this into stats for a "high
> end" brake job!
>
> Looking for night work ! !
--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle
'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Daily driver since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring sloooowly)
Assisting on Restoration (and spending OPM):
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)
Stripped and gone but their parts live on:
'68 MGB, '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT
| 
